PASAY CITY – Senator Robin Padilla has expressed his willingness to run for Vice President in 2028 as the running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte, provided he receives a direct order from former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

“Kapag utos ni Digong. Walang pwedeng mag-utos sa akin kahit sino, si Digong lang,” Padilla told reporters.

“Only if it's an order from Digong. No one else can give me orders, only Digong," he added.

Padilla emphasized that while he personally lacks political ambition and has even faced opposition from family members regarding his political career, "Digong" remains the only person he would unfailingly obey. 

“Kasi ayaw ko talaga ng pulitika, alam naman lahat ng… nanay ko alam yan, mga kapatid ko, asawa ko. Basta sinabi ni Digong susunod ako,” he said.

“Because I really don't like politics – everyone knows that... my mother knows it, my siblings, my wife. But if Digong says so, I will obey" he added.

The senator clarified that his loyalty to the elder Duterte would be the deciding factor in any potential executive bid, effectively placing his political plans in the hands of the former chief executive.

Despite being relatively new to national politics, Padilla expressed confidence in his ability to assume the country’s second-highest post, downplaying the complexity of the role by describing it as a "spare tire." 

“Ipinanganak po tayong ready. Lalo na ‘yan, para sa akin… Vice President, hindi naman masyadong ano yan…puro advocacy lang ‘yan eh. Parang ikaw ang spare tire, ‘di ba? Kayang kaya ‘yan,” he said.

"I was born ready. Especially for that – to me, the Vice Presidency is mostly about advocacy. It's like you’re the spare tire, right? I can definitely handle that,” he added.

Padilla argued that the Vice Presidency is primarily focused on advocacy work, which he believes he can effectively manage alongside the presidency. 

He also acknowledged a "hierarchy" of more senior allies, including Senators Imee Marcos, Bong Go, and Bato Dela Rosa, who may be more seasoned for the post, but maintained that he is "born ready" to serve should the Duterte leadership call on him to step up.